Coast Guard Says No to Mississippi Barge Traffic for West Michigan

LANSING, MI (WHTC) – The US Coast Guard has rejected a request by Lansing-based Michigan Agri-Business Association to allow shipping barges from the Mississippi River System to travel along the western shore of Michigan to Muskegon. The group wanted a similar setup to that on the western edge of Lake Michigan, but after a 90-day comment period, the Coast Guard cited various safety concerns as reasons for the denial. MABA officials are considering whether to fight the decision in the courts or explore other options.